11 June, 3013 — The Fortress of Phylon

I know you are busy, so I will keep this request brief. I would request that you take the time from your duties to speak with Princess Evony Sauveur to arrange a marriage between myself and her daughter Sir Ellinor Sauveur. You know the political reasons far better than I, but there are also personal ones. I believe that I love her, and she has told me that she loves me too. It may not be much, in the grand scheme of the system, Father, but it is a reminder of why we must win this war, and why we will.

As always, I am at the service of Haven.

Your son,

-Nikomachos.

The other is written, re-written, and re-written again by hand, on fine paper.

Your Highness Princess Evony Sauveur,

I hope that my father will be speaking with you soon, but as he is so busy just now, I thought it courteous and prudent to approach you directly. I've heard it said that in times of war, everything happens faster, and I have certainly found that to be true. Although I have known your daughter Sir Ellinor only a short while, in that time, I have come to know her, to respect her, and to love her.

My father has often told me that one of the duties our generation is to provide for the future of this system, in addition to defending it. I believe I can do the former now, as well as the latter. With your permission and that of my father, I would like to marry Sir Ellinor. Though there is already a connection between our houses through my aunt Kallista's husband, another tie in this uncertain time can only strengthen the bonds of fealty and loyalty between the two houses.

In addition to the political and societal reasons, of course, there is the personal reasons. I love your daughter as I have never loved anyone or anything before, Your Highness, and she has likewise spoken of her love for me. I know you worry for your daughter's safety, as all mothers worry for the safety of their children, but love is perhaps the most powerful reason to survive, and to return to one's loved ones. If you and my father approve this match, it is my hope that the drive to return to one another, and to any prospective children, will see us through the war where even our skill may not have.

It is my hope that my father will be contacting you officially soon, but I wanted to assure you of my sincerity, and of the depth of my feelings for your daughter.

Respectfully,

-Sir Nikomachos Cindravale.

19 June, 3013 — The Citadel

To: Nikomachos.Cindravale@Phylon
From: Alexandros.Cindravale@Citadel

Son,

I was wondering when such a request would grace my screen. I'm grateful that I don't have to take time out of my day to pick your future wife for you. I hope for your sake that you know exactly what you want in life, and that Sir Ellinor will help you achieve this.

I will send a request to Princess Evony post-haste to work out the details of the contract.

- Father

To: Evony.Sauveur@PalaceTowers
From: Alexandros.Cindravale@Citadel

Your Highness Princess Evony Sauveur,

I must preface this letter by saying that I am sure my son has already contacted you on his own behalf to place a formal request for betrothal to Sir Ellinor Sauveur. No doubt his words are far prettier than mine can ever be.

On behalf of my family and my House, I am thus extending to you this official betrothal request for a match to be placed between my son, Sir Nikomachos Cindravale, and your daughter, Sir Ellinor Sauveur. Although our families may be linked already, during these uncertain times it turns to us to see that we fasten tight our positions amid the chaos of war. Such a marriage can assure our citizens that the military and the civil leadership are united, and will undoubtedly encourage hope among the people and renew their faith in the strength of our government.

It is our duty from their birth to guide our children into roles of leadership, to gift them with strength, courage, intelligence and wisdom, so that they in turn can pass these traits onto their children. I believe Sir Nikomachos is well-prepared for his duty as a husband, and - hopefully, should the time come - as a father as well.

Should you so consent to this marriage, we can arrange a meeting in person to draw up the official contract.